S5000 is powered by the industry-hardened, feature-rich Dell Networking OS9 (OS9) designed f or maximum dependability and uptime. Virtual link trunking ( VLT) provides a loop-free topology with active-active load-sharing of links from access to core. Hardware stacking using front port stacking up to six units provides maximum flexibility and scalability f or data center environments. The S5000 supports Dell Open Automa tion Framework, which provides advanced network automation and virtualization capabilities for virtual data center environments. The Open Automation Framework is comprised of a suite of interrelated network management tools which can be used together or independently to pr ovide a more flexible, available and manageable network while helping to r educe operational expenses.

Dell S5000 overview

Server virtualization and cloud-based deployment models are increasing IT organizations' productivity while improving their ability to respond to continuously changing business needs. However, the rate at which the technology is evolving is forcing IT departments to invest in solutions tha t are flexible, future-ready and cost-effective.

The Dell S5000 is a high-density 1RU switch tha t offers innovative flexibility due to its unique modular ar chitecture. S5000 is well suited f or data center access and aggr egation layer deployments for physical and virtual servers and LAN and SAN convergence over lossless fabrics.

Deployments:

Traditional Ethernet Deployments

Each server rack in this deployment model contains two S5000 switches offering redundant 10GbE connections to each server. The switches may be deployed as stand-alone switches or stacked for management simplification. Typical stacking configurations include a pair of stacked switches in each rack or two stacks of switches extending horizontally across multiple switches. In a typical single high-density server rack with redundant connections, up to 48 Dell PowerEdge rack servers or up to 96 PowerEdge Blades can be connected to a pair of S5000 in a single rack.

Large-scale 1GbE server connections

Servers with 1GbE redundant ports are connected to a pair of Dell Networking S55 or S60 1GbE ToR switches. Using 10GbE up link connections, S55 or S60 leaf switches are connected to a pair of S5000 spine switches to form a large access layer fabric. In a typical high-density server configuration with redundant connections, up to 576 1GbE (1152 if redundancy not required) servers can be connected to a pair of S5000 switches through 24 Dell S55 or S60 switches.

Layer 2 fabrics1/10GbE rack servers in a virtualized data center

Virtual Link Trunking (VLT) is a Dell Networking multi-path solution to create a dynamic or static LAG that terminates on two different VLT-enabled physical switches. VLT is a dual active control plane implementation of multi-system LAG. VLT creates a single logical view of the two physical switches for the node at the other end.

In a virtualized data center, each server can transmit a significant amount of data easily overwhelming a traditional network infrastructure. VLT-based network infrastructure provides activeactive connections from the server expanding the available bandwidth while increasing network resiliency. In a typical high-density server configuration with redundant connections, up to 1188 1/10GbE servers can be connected to a pair of Z9500 switches through 66 S5000 switches.

10GbE blade servers in a virtualized data center

For organizations creating the next-generation architecture for their information technology, meeting performance requirements for critical workloads is paramount. Dell blade solutions combine high-speed connectivity in the form of the backplane of the Dell PowerEdge M1000e blade enclosure with the compute density of Dell blade servers. The MXL/IOA switch for M1000e blade enclosure is a 40GbE capable, modular and stackable blade switch.

In a typical high-density server configuration with redundant connections, up to 4752 10GbE servers can be connected to a pair of Z9500 switches through 58 S5000 switches.

M1000e comparisons showing East/West traffic advantage

Modern data centers are going through a dramatic shift of traffic patterns from mostly north-south to mostly east-west traffic. Dell solutions with local switching capabilities help ensure that server to server traffic will take the least amount of hops, which can significantly enhance application performance.

LAN and SAN convergence

Organizations can take advantage of LAN/SAN convergence by deploying Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI), Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), or even both network fabrics, on the DCB-enabled network. These technologies allow IT organizations to leverage a single, lossless and converged Ethernet network to enable LAN and SAN convergence.

Lossless converged LAN and iSCSI SAN

A typical architecture will connect Dell PowerEdge rack servers directly to S5000 or M1000e blade servers through MXL/IOA blade switches to S5000. Such architecture reduces the number of server and switch optics, fiber optic cables, and number of ToR switches in the data center. This approach can result in simplification of I/O, reduced capital and operational costs, and improved IT staff productivity.

Lossless converged LAN and FCoE SAN

S5000 consolidates LAN and SAN networks on one physical network infrastructure while providing logical separation of LAN and SAN traffic in the network. This approach helps ensure organizations are able to connect to existing FC SANs for nonstop and optimal IT operations while extending the advantages associated with LAN and SAN convergence. A typical architecture will connect Dell PowerEdge rack servers directly to S5000 or M1000e blade servers through MXL/IOA blade switches to S5000.

S5000 acts as an FCF offering direct connectivity to FC storage or as an NPG, offering connectivity between servers and FC SANs. Using 10GbE Converged Network Adapters (CNAs) servers are able to connect to S5000 using FCoE capability. Up to 12 ports on S5000 can be configured for native Fibre Channel connectivity to FC storage, servers or SANs. All Ethernet ports can be connected to FCoE servers.

S Series managed switches:

Developed for flexibility The Dell Networking S Series switches offer a family of products that enable you to find the ideal solution for your specific needs.

Built for cost-effective deployment Selected S Series switches support the Dell Networking Open Automation Framework, a suite of interrelated network management tools that can be used together or independently to provide a flexible, available and manageable network while helping reduce operational expenses.

Global services and support Dell Services can help reduce IT complexity, lower costs and eliminate inefficiencies by making IT and business solutions work harder for you. The Dell Services team delivers distinctive capabilities, including full data migration solutions to facilitate consolidation from multiple file systems. Dell takes a holistic view of your needs and designs solutions for your environment and business objectives, and uses established delivery methods, local talent and in-depth domain knowledge to help lower your total cost of ownership.

Dell Networking S5000 10/40G Unified Storage SwitchThe S5000 enables converging LAN and SAN traffic in a single 1U top-of-rack switch. It features a unique modular design to enable adding Ethernet and Fibre Channel/FcoE modules when needed, and DCB support for lossless Ethernet. In addition, the S5000 helps standardize and simplify the Dell Active System Infrastructure pre-integrated systems.